IN PROFILE
VDC TRADING: 31 YEARS IN THE MAKING Established in 1987 by CEO & Founder, Niall J. Holden and his bass player pal, (the late) Marcus Desfigurado, VDC Trading has arguably become one the most iconic names in pro audio market. Recently reaching its 31-year milestone, TPi reports on the story so far…
Sat in the unassuming offices located in King’s Cross, VDC’s CEO, Niall J. Holden, is surrounded by classic American 1950s memorabilia, from old Coca Cola vending machines, to vintage guitars, and even a duke box. The vibe is curiously fun and the company’s humble beginnings even more so. “I’d moved to London and had been struggling to find work,” began Holden, in his still-quite-pronounced Yorkshire twang. “I ended up becoming a bus driver for a few weeks before getting laid off, and somehow found myself moving music kit around London for a couple of quid.” Yet he wasn’t alone. Picture the scene: two young, new friends decide to form a company moving musical instruments and backline gear around
the capital. The idea, which was initially ‘just a bit of fun’, soon led the pair to a bank manager’s office during Thatcher’s Boom Britain. The money was flowing and it seemed the Gods were on their side; a £5,000 bank loan was granted and some imperative ‘thinking time’ in the sun ensued. Holden continued: “When we got that cheque, it was like being handed free money - I’d never known anything like it!” When the idea to pool their ideas and set up a business properly came about, so did a lot of behaviour that wouldn’t be out of place in a film script: “We got the money, we opened a joint bank account, got drunk and then booked some flights to Rhodes, Greece, for two weeks…” he said, with a fond smile. 80
